Zuleika

Also known as: Joseph's mistress / Potiphar's unnamed wife / Potiphar's unnamed wife (Chapter 035) / mistress / wife of Potiphar · Family: Egyptians · Role: wife of Potiphar · First appears: Joseph The Slave Of Potiphar

As Joseph remained in prison for twenty-four days, Zuleika urged Potiphar to release him and employ him, and arranged for her eunuch to buy Joseph from the Ishmaelites. She repeatedly tried to persuade Joseph, but he refused her; after her desire made her gravely ill, she invited Egyptian women to see his beauty. For a whole year her solicitations failed, and she had him shackled so he would have to face her. When Joseph escaped her grasp, leaving part of his garment behind, Zuleika accused him of trying to force himself upon her, and Potiphar believed her and had Joseph flogged.

Their infant child exposed the accusation as false. The judges spared Joseph the death penalty but condemned him to incarceration, saying he had caused a stain upon Zuleika’s fair name. She visited him in prison for a long time, then stopped when she saw her efforts were futile. She later promised Joseph she would not repeat her attempt to sin with him. Joseph eventually married Zuleika’s daughter Asenath in Pharaoh’s presence.